New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-11
GOVERNOR OGLESBYS DECISION.
NO DOUBT THE SEVEN MEN WERE GUILTY.

GOVERNOR OGLESBTS DECISION.
NO DOUBT THE SEVEN MEN WERE GUILTY.
HIS VIEWS BRIEFLY sTATED-TnE INSTRUMENT
COMMITTING THE SENTENCE N TWO CASES.
LBI TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUsEl
SPRINGFIELD, H., Nov 10-A sigh of relief
came when il was announced by Governor Oglesbys
Robert from the steps of the front porch of tho
mansion at , o'clock this afternoon that the decis-
ION in relation { o the condemned Anarchists would
bs rendered at O'Clock. The dav opened with sus-
penst and it was fitting that public worn and
an Nious. should have rest from suspense more
terrible than the reality. All day long the tcle-
graph boys carried messages TO the Governor
They were sent iIom every quarter OF the country.
Some asked for mercy, some for c.cmency, and some
boldly that the law be allowed to take its course
AL were read with 1t was evi lently the phr-
pose of the Governor to announce his decs sion
parltivcly early IN tho day.
Attorney -Gc;eral Hunt was in conference with the
Governor most Of the forenoon, in the library Soom
on the right of the entrance hall of the mansion.
The Governor most of the time occupied the willow
chair that stands at Tie end Of his long table he
tween the two windows and he would occasionally
pace across the room. His face wasa study. bnt hc
looked determined. His eyes gave evidence of loss
OF sleep. but hc had the brave. stern and fearless
appearance that won victory and glory for Illinois
ia the War of the Rebellion While his heart was
brave it was tender; lut his judgment was Gear
ami he had the courage TO carry ont his convic-
tens. At p. III. the Governors secretary an
nounccd to the newspaper mon who we're collected
in front of the house that the sentence of Samuel
Ficlden and Michael Schwab had been commuted
10 inn risonmcnt for life and that hc sentence of
the other condemned men would remain un-
changed.
For an hour previous to the giving out of .he
result il a. known to most of the correspondents
in Springfield that Governor Oglosly had
announced his action TO the Sheriff of Cook
County in the afternoon. The entire document
was given out about d. m. 1t was as follows;
STATE OF ILLINOIS. Executive OrFrcE}
SPRI> GrIELD, Nov. 10 1ss7.}
On the Goth day OF August 1856, IN the Cook
County Criminal Court. August Spies Albert II.
Parsons. Samuel Fieden, Michael Schwab Adoph
Fischer. George Englc and Louis Lingg were found
guilty by tne verdict of the jury and afterward
sentenced to he hanged for the murder of Matthias
J. Degan.
An appeal was taken from such finding and
tcnce to the Supreme Court of the State. That
court upon a final hearing and after mature delib-
Grafton unanimously affirmed the Judgment of the
court below. The case now comes before me by
petition Of the defendants for consideration as
Governor of the State. If the letters of Albert
Parsons Adolph Fischer. George Engcl AMI Louis
Lingg demanding unconditional release, or a.
they express il liberty or death.' and protesting
IN the strongest language against mercy or comrnu-
tation of the scDtcnco pronounced against them.
can be con sIdcrcd petitions. pardon. could 1t be
granted, which might imply any guilt whatever
upon the part of either of them would not be such
q vndcation as they demand. Executive inter
vention upon the grounds insisted upon by
the four above named persons could in
proper sense bo deemed an exercise
Of the constitutional power to grant repneves
communications and pardons unless based upon the
belief on nv part of their entire innocence OF the
crime Of which they stand convicted.
THE VERDICT oNE THAT CANNOT ne QUESTIONED.
A careful nslderation of the evidence in the
record OF the trial Of the parties as well as OF all
alleged and claimed for them outside of the record
has failed to produce upon my mind any impression
teneing 10 mpeaoh the verdict of the jury or the
Judgment of the rial court or of the Supreme
Court affirming the guilt of all these parties. sat
isied therefore, "a am Of their guilt, l am pre-
cuded from considering the question OF communal
tion of sentence of Albert K. Parsons Adolph
Fischer, George Engel and LOUIS Lingg TO lmprls-
ODment IN the penitentIary, as they cmphatcally
declare that they will not such communication
fielden; c9r n 9or Yecntive cIemencv
tieden and Schwab in addition present separate
and supplementary petitions Tor the conmutatioh
TOf their sentences.
REASONS FOR CLEMENCY TO FIELDEN AND scHwAB.
While, as said above, | am satisfied Of the guilt
of all the parties, found by the verdict OF the
jury, which was susta tained by the judgment of the
courts a most careful consideration of tho whole
subject leads me to the conclusion that
the sentence of tho law rs to Samuel
Fieden and Michael Schwab may be modified az
10 each of lhem in the interest of humanity aud
wityout dong violence TO public justice: Ana as
to he said samuel Ficden and Michael Schwab
the sentence is commutcd to imprisonment
in the pcnitentiary for life. As TO all the
other above named defendants do not
feel justified in interfering with the sentence OF the
court. While would gladly have come to dif-
ferent concluson in regard to the sentence of de-
PENDANTS August spies, .Adolph Fischer, George
Engei. Albert Il. Parsons and Louis Lingg. re-
gret to saw that under the solemn of the
obligations Of my office, have been unable 10 do
RICHARD j. OGLEsBY Governor.
TIE PAPER THAT SAVED TWO LIVES
The following IS a copy oi the instrument OIL
cialy committing tho sentence of FIelden and
Schwab:
STATE OF IrrrvoIs Executive DEPARTMENT
RICHARD j. OGIEsBY, GOreraOr Of Illinois, TO me
Sheriff Of Cook county, ~
GREETING: Whereas Samue Ficden and Michael
Schwab were convicted at the june term, A:D lSoO'
of the Criminal Court OF Cook County OF the |
crime OF murder. and were sentenced ihereioI
10 be hanged; and whereas II has beeh presented
to divers good citizens OF SAID county that said
Samuel FIelden anI Michael Schwab are ht ana
proper subjects for executive ciemency; a.
Now know We that l. Richard D. OgIesby, Gov
the constitution Of this State. do bv these presents
commute the sentence the SAID Samuel tieden ana
Michael Schwab TO ImDrlsOnment for life In testl-
mony whereof. hereto set my hand aud cause TO
be affixed the great seal OF State. ,
Done at the City Of Springfield this tenth dav OF
November, III the year OF Our Lord one tnoasaha